Skills

Manufacturing

Export

Apprenticeships

Town Centre

Transport

Legal

Retail

Monday, November 28, 2016

Super strength stainless steel bars manufactured by Macalloy in Rotherham are helping to keep things together at a new eating and drinking venue constructed of refitted shipping containers.

Dinnington-based Macalloy are world leaders in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems to engineering and construction projects across the globe. Its products are often called upon to provide the stability when innovative designs from leading architects are made into reality.

Entirely constructed out of 96 refitted shipping containers, Boxpark has recently opened as part of the mixed-use Ruskin Square development next to East Croydon station. It has created a unique dining experience focusing on small independent traders, transforming the quality of the leisure offer in Croydon.

The design by architects at BDP creates a pared down raw aesthetic which integrates into the core Boxpark design language and, with graphic designers Filthy Media and retail designers Brinkworth, a very strong graphic and visual identity which is applied rigorously throughout the scheme.

Advertisement

Gavin Elliott, architect director at BDP, said: "Our design creates a semi-enclosed market hall – like Covent Garden or La Boqueria in Barcelona – so it has a central focus to the scheme with the units arranged around it, as well as outdoor terrace spaces. The change of level between the station entrance and Dingwall Road means people enter from multiple entrances and levels which adds spatial interest and animation.

"Shipping containers are an intrinsic component of the Boxpark brand. There's something quite magical about taking this mundane and ubiquitous object and turning it into something desirable and transformational. We're using 96 containers in total and only four of them are unaltered. The whole assembly is like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle but the finished result looks deceptively simple.

"Boxpark Croydon is a place for people. The design comes alive now it's occupied. It was incredible to see it over the opening weekend, at dusk, with the lights on and the music pumping. Rammed with people all having a brilliant time."

The steel containers are stacked two-high to form ground and first floor levels, with an eating courtyard in the centre. The main contractor for the £3m scheme was Randall Developments with TSI Structures the steelwork contractor.

Jonathan Pye, civil and structural engineer director at BDP, said: "The roof structure, which measures approximately 20m x 20m has been designed as a sway frame to ensure rigidity, while a series of Macalloy cross bracings located between the primary columns adds some extra lateral stability."